Motor guide
Driving in the rainy season: what our claims data says
Between May and October our motor claims nearly double. We looked at 2,100 claims from last year to see what actually goes wrong, and what would have prevented it.
Where the claims happen
Three places produce a quarter of our rainy season claims in Ibadan: the Apete and Eleyele flood zones, the Iwo Road interchange and the stretch of the expressway around Toll Gate. Most are not dramatic. They are low speed knocks in heavy traffic and cars driven into water that looked shallow.
Flooded engines are the single most expensive item. An engine that sucks in water can cost more to repair than the car is worth.
Seven habits that would have prevented a third of them
Turn back at standing water you cannot see the bottom of. Thirty centimetres of moving water can float a small car.
Double your following distance. Wet roads and worn tyres more than double stopping distances.
Replace wipers before May. Half the drivers we spoke to after a claim had worn wipers.
Park on high ground at night, and never under old trees during storms.
Check tyre tread with a coin. If you can see the whole edge of the coin, the tyre is worn.
Keep the AI line saved as Crescent tow.
If the engine stalls in water, do not restart it. Call for a tow.
Flooded engines cost us more than every other rainy season claim combined.
If water gets into the car
Switch off, get out safely and call us. Do not try to restart the engine. Photos of the water level against the car help the assessor a great deal.
On Comprehensive cover, flood damage is covered and the tow is free. On Third party or Fire and theft, flood damage to your own car is not covered, which is why we suggest Comprehensive for any car worth more than about ₦8m.
After an accident in the rain
Move to safety, switch on hazard lights and check for injuries. Take wide photos of both cars and the road, then close ups. Swap phone numbers politely. You do not need to agree who was at fault.
Report the same day if you can. The average motor claim is settled in six days, but it starts when you call.
Figures in this guide are example figures for a COVORN demo site.